Pregnancy related back pain

Around 75-80% of all pregnant women will experience back pain. This does not mean it cannot be treated, so don't let anyone tell you that you have to live with it!

There are two kinds of common conditions causing pain in pregnancy - true back pain and pelvic girdle pain.

True back pain is caused by the changing posture when the baby grows and the centre shifts due to the increasing weight of the 'bump' on the front of the body. This makes us in effect lean backwards and increases the lower back arch. The spinal joints, muscles and ligaments become strained and irritated reacting with pain

Pregnancy back pain treatment and relief

Pelvic girdle pain develops when hormonal changes make the ligaments looser causing the pelvic joints to become irritated. This is natural and helpful for letting the baby pass through the birth canal but the pelvic joints can 'lock' and cause pelvic asymmetry with pain over the pubic bone at the front and on both sides below the small of the back. Standing on one leg, getting out of the bath tub and getting out of a car often hurts.